Apple tree named &#39;lentz jonagold&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Jonagold apple tree, ‘Lentz Jonagold,’ originating as a limb mutation of the  Malus domestica  variety of ‘Rubinstar’ (US Plant Pat. No.  7,167 ). This new variety is unique from its parent and other Jonagold cultivars in the early coloration of the fruit, the high percentage of coloration of the fruit and the red coloration of the leaf petiole and mid-vein.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

The new variety, ‘Lentz Jonagold’ differs from its parent and otherJonagold varieties in the following characteristics:

-   -   A. The fruit of the new variety differs from ‘Jonagored’ (U.S.        Plant Pat. No. 5,937), ‘Romagold’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,541),        ‘Excel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,314) and ‘Daliguy’ ( U.S. Plant        Pat. No. 6,148) in that the new variety has 95% to 100% red        coloration as opposed to ‘Jonagored’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,937)        which is red over yellow, ‘Romagold (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,541)        which is 75% red, ‘Excel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,314) which is        50% red and ‘Daliguy’ ( U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,148) which is half        red.    -   The new variety differs from ‘Schneica’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.        7,146), and ‘Jored’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,851), in the timing        of the first coloration of the fruit. The new variety starts        coloring six weeks ahead of the parent as opposed to ‘Schneica’        (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,146) which starts coloring 4 four to six        weeks later, and ‘Jored’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,851) which        starts coloring five days ahead.    -   The new variety differs from ‘Jonagored Supra’ (U.S. Plant Pat.        No. 10,401) and ‘Red Jonaprince’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,112) in        the timing of maturity of the fruit. The new variety ripens with        the parent as opposed to ‘Jonagored Supra’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.        10,401) which ripens 8 days earlier and ‘Red Jonaprince’ (U.S.        Plant Pat. No. 11,112) which ripens four to five weeks earlier.    -   The new variety differs from ‘Jonagold De Coster’ (U.S. Plant        Pat. No. 8,049) in the coloration of the petiole and leaf veins.        ‘Jonagold De Coster’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,049) has green leaf        mid-veins and does not mention the petioles. The new variety has        dark red leaf petioles and leaf mid-veins.    -   B. The new variety differs from its parent in that it starts        coloring six weeks earlier than the parent with 95% to 100% red        coloration as opposed to ‘Rubinstar’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,590)        which exhibits 70% to 90% red coloration. The new variety also        shows dark red coloration in the leaf petiole and mid-vein, as        opposed to ‘Rubinstar’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,590) which has a        green leaf petiole and mid-vein.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Malus domestica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Lentz Jonagold’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A new and distinct variety of Jonagold apple tree originating as a limbmutation of the Malus domestica variety of ‘Rubinstar’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 7,590) hereinafter referred to as ‘Lentz Jonagold’. This new sportis unique from its parent because the fruit starts coloring 6 weeksearlier than the parent with 95% to 100% red coloration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This new and distinct variety of Jonagold apple tree was discovered in2005 as a limb mutation of ‘Rubinstar’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,590), inan orchard planted in 1995. The new variety was noticed because thefruit started coloring in early August, six weeks ahead of the parent.

Observations during the next two seasons confirmed that the fruit startscoloring six weeks earlier than the parent with 95% to 100% redcoloration as opposed to ‘Rubinstar’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,590) whichexhibits 70% to 90% red coloration. The new variety also shows redcoloration in the leaf petiole and mid-vein, as opposed to ‘Rubinstar’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,590) which has a green leaf petiole and mid-vein.

In August of 2005, buds were taken from the original limb and trees forfurther testing were produced by cleft grafting onto existing appletrees in Frankfort, Mich. In August of 2006, buds were taken from theoriginal limb and were budded onto M9 337 rootstock (an unpatentedselection) using the chip budding method of propagation. This processtook place in Brentwood, Calif. Brentwood, Calif. The new variety hasremained true to the description herein contained. The new variety hasnot been grown on its own root.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyas depicted in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible in colorillustrations of this character. These specimens were obtained at inFrankfort, Mich.

FIG. 1 illustrated the fruit of the new variety.

FIG. 2 illustrates the original tree with the new variety on the leftand the parent ‘Rubinstar’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,590) on the right, onSep. 16, 2007; three weeks before maturity; showing the early coloringof the new variety.

FIG. 3 illustrates a section of the fruit of the new variety atmaturity.

FIG. 4 illustrates the blossom and buds of the new variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the ‘Lentz Jonagold’ cultivar follows usingThe Royal Horticultural Society of London Colour Chart, 1986 edition,for color identification except where general color terms aresufficient.

-   Parentage: A limb mutation of ‘Rubinstar’, (U.S. Plant Pat. No.    7590). Locality of the original discovery and observations is 4300    Mick Road, Frankfort, Mich. 49635.-   Tree:    -   -   Tree age.—12 years.        -   Size.—large, height 3 m, width 3 m.        -   Vigor.—vigorous, yearly growth averages 1 m.        -   Density.—medium.        -   Form.—upright spreading.        -   Production.—very productive, averaging 800 bushels per acre.        -   Growth type.—non-spur.        -   Bearing.—annual.-   Trunk:    -   -   Texture.—smooth.        -   Trunk color.—Grayed Green 197A.        -   Lenticels.—length 2 mm, width 1 mm.        -   Lenticel color.—Grayed Green 196C.        -   Lenticel density.—3 to 4 per cm².        -   Average trunk diameter 20 mm above ground.—23 cm.-   Branches:    -   -   3 year old branch.—22 mm in diameter, color Grayed Green            197C, angle to 4 year old branch 45° to 60°.        -   2 year old branch.—9 mm to 11 mm in diameter, length 26 cm,            color Grayed Green 197A, angle to 3 year old branch 35° to            50°.        -   1 year old branch.—5 mm to 8 mm in diameter, length 25 cm,            color Grayed Purple 183A; lenticels round, very small, 0.01            mm in diameter, color Green-White 157A; angle to 2 year old            branch 35° to 50°.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—length 12 mm, width 7 mm.        -   Form.—broadly ovate.        -   Base.—rounded.        -   Apex.—broadly acute.        -   Upper surface pubescence.—finely pubescent.        -   Lower pubescence.—finely pubescent.        -   Upper surface color.—Green 137A.        -   Lower surface color.—Green 138B.        -   Venation.—pinnate, 10 to 12 veins, mainly alternate, color            Green 138C with Green 138B toward mid-vein.        -   Mid-vein.—upper surface coloration of faint Red 46A from            base to mid-leaf, lower surface coloration of Red 46A            extending from base of leaf mid-leaf.        -   Margin.—serrate.        -   Petiole length.—30 mm.        -   Petiole width.—2 mm at attachment to leaf, 4 mm at            abscission layer.        -   Petiole upper surface color.—Green 137A with Red 46A for the            lower 75% of the leaf fading to Green 137B to tip.        -   Petiole lower surface color.—Green 145C with Red 46A at base            to mid-leaf fading to green 137C to tip.        -   Petiole groove.—none observed.        -   Stipules.—very fine, at the base of the petiole on almost            all leaves.        -   Stipule length.—10 mm.        -   Stipule width.—1 mm to 1.5 mm.        -   Stipule color.—Green 137A.        -   Leaf glands.—none observed.-   Leaf buds:    -   -   Length.—5 mm.        -   Width.—5 mm.        -   Color.—Yellow-Green 145C.        -   Placement on branch.—tightly applied.        -   Internode distance.—20 mm.-   Spurs: Present on 2 year and older wood.    -   -   Length.—10 mm to 12 mm.        -   Width.—5 mm to 6 mm.        -   Color.—Grayed Purple 185A.-   Bloom period: 7 days to 10 days depending on temperature and weather    conditions.-   Bloom timing: Mid-season-   Pollination requirements: Viable pollen from another fertile variety    blooming in the same time period such as Granny Smith (an unpatented    selection), Honeycrisp, (US Plant Pat. No. 7,197) or Indian Summer    Crab apple (an unpatented selection).-   Presentation: Showy.-   Fragrance: Faint.-   Fertility: Sterile.-   Pollen: Sparse.-   Flowers at popcorn stage:    -   -   Pedicle.—length 42 mm, diameter 2 mm.        -   Pedicel color.—Green 138D.        -   Bud.—length 10 mm, width 11 mm, shape, round.        -   Bud color.—Red Purple 64B on exposed surfaces with White            155D on covered surfaces.-   Flowers at full bloom:    -   -   Corolla diameter.—50 mm.        -   Numbers of flowers per cluster.—5.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: 5 in number, length 23 mm, width 14 mm,            separate. Color: adaxial: White 155D with a slight blush of            Red Purple 64D. Abaxial: White 155D with blush of Red Purple            64D. Shape: elongated round with edged slightly curved            inward, apex round, base rounded with point at junction to            the receptacle. Texture: soft.        -   Receptacle.—length 3 mm, width 2 mm, color Green 138D.        -   Pedicel.—length 15 mm, width 4 mm, color Green 138D.        -   Sepals.—5 in number, length 9 mm, width 4 mm, pubescent,            Color Green 138D with Green 138A at tip and edges.        -   Stamens.—21 to 25 in number, color White 155A.        -   Anthers.—length 2 mm, width 1 mm, Color Yellow Orange 14B.        -   Pistil.—held slightly lower than anthers in a majority of            blossoms.        -   Ovary.—length 9 mm, width 2 mm, color Yellow Green 145C,            pubescent. Style: length 3 mm, width 0.1 mm, color Yellow            Green 145C. Stigma: length 0.1 mm, width 0.1 mm, color            Yellow Green 145B.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—firm ripe.        -   Flesh firmness at maturity.—16.3 to 18.8 pounds.        -   Starch at maturity.—5.0 to 7.5 (index of to 1 to 8).        -   Brix at maturity.—14.5 to 15%.        -   Internal ethylene concentration at maturity.—0.2 ppm.        -   Date of picking.—October 5, in Frankfort, Benzie County,            Mich., generally harvested in one picking.        -   Size.—axial diameter 85 mm, transverse diameter 90 mm.        -   Fruit weight (firm ripe).—270 to 300 g.        -   Form.—uniform, symmetrical, regular, oblong-conical.        -   Cavity.—acuminate, depth 12 mm, width 20 mm.        -   Basin.—symmetrical, abrupt at base, wide, depth, 5 mm, width            20 mm.        -   Calyx.—open, segments persistent, recurved, outer and inner            surfaces pubescent.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—thin.        -   Texture.—smooth, medium glossy.        -   Bloom.—medium to heavy.        -   Tendency to crack.—slight.        -   Lenticels.—round 0.5 cm in diameter, 2 to 3 per cm², color            Yellow 10 D.        -   Color.—solid 95% to 100% Red Purple 59 A with wide blotchy            stripe of Red 53 A.        -   Ground color.—Yellow-Green 151 D.-   Flesh:    -   -   Aroma.—sweet, aromatic.        -   Color.—Yellow 11 D.        -   Texture.—firm, tender, fine, crisp.        -   Eating quality.—best.-   Core:    -   -   Bundle area.—medium to ovate, cordate, symmetrical at base.        -   Bundle.—inconspicuous, green, alternate above stamens.        -   Carpillary area.—distinct, medium size.        -   Calyx tube.—funnel shaped, open.        -   Depth of tube to shoulder.—15 mm.        -   Styles.—distinct, pubescent.        -   Stamens.—one distinct whorl, small.        -   Axillary cavity.—wanting.        -   Locules.—closed.        -   Seed cells.—walls thin, tough, length 11 mm, width 6 mm.        -   Longitudinal section.—ovate.-   Seeds:    -   -   Number perfect.—8 to 10.        -   Number in one cell.—1 to 2.        -   Length.—10 mm.        -   Breadth.—6 mm.        -   Form.—ovate, non-tufted.        -   Color.—Grayed Purple 185A.-   Stem:    -   -   Length.—32 mm to 35 mm.        -   Width.—3 mm to 5 mm.        -   Color.—Yellow Green 144A with slight coloration of Red 46A.-   Use: Processing, fresh market, dessert.-   Shipping quality: Good, subject to stem puncture.-   Keeping quality: Excellent, 90 days to 120 days in common storage, 6    months in controlled atmosphere storage.-   Tree winter hardiness: Average for an apple variety. Tree is hardy    to −10° F. to −25° F.-   Bud winter hardiness: −15° to −20° F., dependent on the stage of    development of the bud.-   Drought tolerance: Average for an apple variety. Normal requirements    average ½″ of rain per week. Severe drought adversely affects fruit    size and quality.-   Disease resistance: Susceptible to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora)    and other bacterial diseases. Moderately susceptible to apple scab    (Venturia inaequalis), powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha), and    other fungal diseases.

1. A new and distinct variety of Jonagold apple tree, Malus domestica,substantially as herein shown and described.